x
The roar of the waterfall cascaded down from the third floor, a curtain of silvery mist that seemed to fall through the air, softening and silencing the chatter of the bustling mall.
But to Suzuran, only two sounds remained—
Her own pounding heartbeat, and the steady, deep rhythm of Koichi’s breathing.
She didn’t dare speak, nor move too much, as if any sound might shatter the fragile dream named love.
Just as the escalator neared the third floor—
A gentle breath brushed near her ear.
“My lady, we’re almost there. Watch your step.”
The voice was low and composed, warm as it exhaled softly beside her ear and neck.
The fine strands of hair near her ear quivered from the warmth, and a shiver like invisible electricity ran down her spine, paralyzing her thoughts.
Before she could react, her eyes flicked downward—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCNb5MW15k
And there it was: the escalator’s metal edge approaching the platform.
“Ah…!”
Her foot slipped, her heel catching slightly on the step’s edge—
An arm swiftly wrapped around her waist, steadying her in one smooth motion.
“My lady—careful.”
Koichi’s voice was even closer than before, deeper.
His hand stayed at her waist, as if unsure whether she had fully regained her balance—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVctkc8H9sG
unwilling to let go.
In that moment, the air held nothing else—
No voices, no music, not even the waterfall—only the frantic rhythm of her heart, and the warmth of his hand at her side.
She stood up straight, but didn’t dare look up.
Because she knew—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc5DqGB2lR
If she met his eyes now,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpJH2jh3zZ
the storm of Valentine's Day would no longer be hidden in hers.
The escalator finally reached the third floor.
Suzuran, still shaken by the warmth and suddenness of what just happened, walked a few dazed steps, still holding his hand—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv8ANq2Ooj
Until she suddenly realized—
…They were alone.
The classmates who’d been with them were nowhere in sight.
She hurriedly reached for her phone to check the group chat, but just as she unlocked it, a message popped up:
We went off on our own~ You enjoy your afternoon slowly ♡ Don’t come playing third wheel on us~ hehehehe
“What…? They ditched me?!”
Suzuran stared at the message, overwhelmed by the betrayal from her supposed best friend.
Just then, Koichi’s calm voice sounded gently beside her:
“My lady, where shall we go now? Should we look for your friends?”
She was about to respond, but when her eyes met his face, she froze.
He was still composed and collected, his voice respectful and unhurried—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtfDBKUQOQ
as if he were simply fulfilling his duty, from beginning to end.
—
But that very tenderness—so restrained—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExlZUFv0jD
made her suddenly unable to speak.
“I… I…!”
She couldn’t bring herself to say she didn’t want to find Yuzuka.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj7VjoDdIR
She couldn’t say she did want to spend a little more time with him.
Koichi watched her quietly. He didn’t press.
But when he saw the panic in her expression, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpGL61FF24
as if he’d already figured her out.
“Pfft—”
He let out a soft, barely-contained laugh.
Then he leaned in slightly, his voice so gentle it was impossible to resist:
“Well then… would you like to visit your favorite rooftop café?”
“The weather’s nice. The breeze should feel just right.”
Suzuran paused, stunned.
—
The next moment, it was as if something magical had taken over.
She didn’t think. She didn’t struggle. She didn’t try to hide her feelings.
She simply nodded—softly, naturally.
“…Mm.”
No need to say more. She was already following him.
—
Just like his palm had held her so carefully earlier,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWt4WUtnwY
now her entire heart was being quietly pulled forward by him.
She didn’t realize she was walking faster than usual.
As if she were afraid that if she turned around,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw99HLTlQr
the one person willing to stay with her on the edge of this world—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tn4nKzku3
might vanish.
On the rooftop, the wind rustled gently through the café’s garden, leaves swaying in the sunlight.
Suzuran sat by the window, looking out at the greenery bathed in golden light, as if trying to finally calm her racing heart after the escalator—
…As if !
—
She held the menu in her hands, her expression seemingly focused—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qkZJDBaj6
but her mind had long wandered off.
Her eyes were stuck on the dessert section,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hj7wqCkvW
but none of the words were actually going into her head.
Then, a familiar voice came from beside her:
“My lady, would you like to order anything else?”
“Ah—ahh! I-I’m still looking!”
She jumped slightly, not even raising her head, trying to sound casual.
Koichi didn’t reply, only let out a quiet chuckle.
In the next second, he was holding a delicate Earl Grey biscuit.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0cbxfqnHL
She didn’t even know where he’d gotten it from.
Its buttery scent drifted toward her.
“Well then… try your favorite biscuit first.”
His voice was calm, his gesture so natural it was hard to refuse.
The biscuit hovered just near her lips—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaUnXiPknP
not forceful, yet leaving her no space to decline.
—
Almost like magic, she leaned forward without thinking—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJOpK6GFIO
and took a small bite.
…And then it hit her.
How… how flirty was that?!
Like a jolt, she recoiled backward—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu977i3AVC
her back hitting the soft cushion of the sofa,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtuENKkwT2
the menu in her hand falling to the floor.
“Koichi—w-what are you doing?! What’s the meaning of that?!”
She stared at him, utterly flustered, ears red as ripe cherries.
Koichi tilted his head slightly, still perfectly calm.
“I noticed, my lady,” he said, as if stating something simple,8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTmZDfNvYg
“you haven’t looked me in the eye even once since the escalator.”
“I just wanted to catch your attention a little.”
“To see… where your thoughts had drifted off to.”
—
Idiot.
Jerk.
She screamed inside, but no words made it past her lips.
Because she knew—8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwcVG7HkG1
Her thoughts had already been stolen by him from the very beginning.
—
“Koichi… are you teasing me?”
Her gaze was panicked, like a startled fawn.
But he only smiled more gently, his voice as light as if soothing a child:
“No, my lady. I’m worried about you.”
He leaned in a bit, brushing a fingertip against her forehead.
In a low voice, he asked:
“…Are you running a fever, perhaps?”
Her entire face exploded in red.
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